Peneda-Geres National Park, Portugal

The Peneda-Geres National Park is a popular tourist attraction and national park located in Portugal, Europe. The Park is commonly referred to as Geres, and has the distinction of being the only national park in Portugal. Geres is located in the Norte region, which is in the northwest of the nation. The park has been in operation for almost 50 years, and is famous for a number of reasons – such as its naturally-picturesque landscape, biodiversity, birdwatching, architecture and walking trails. In this article, we take a look at the history of Geres, and provide important information about visiting.

While human traces in the area date back thousands of years, the actual park was created in May 1971. The area is of considerable Scientific interest both domestically and internationally – with efforts being made to help conserve the unique area. Some of the rocks within the park’s boundary date back millions of years. There are many high peaks, with Altar dos Cabroes at 1,538m being the highest. The Park features several mountains, lakes, villages, beaches and much, much more!

The park is famous for many reasons. The range of flora and fauna has astounded many visitors – with the grounds carefully managed year-round. 235 vertebrate species have been identified within the park, many of which are rare, or under protection. Animals found include wolves, horses and ox’s. Birds too are of interest, with many attending the more remote areas of the Park to engage in birdwatching. Waterfalls, monasteries and vantage points are all other popular things to see within the area.

Some people actually have the pleasure of living within the Peneda-Geres park boundary. There are many villages in the area. For tourists, there are many cafes and restaurants that have opened. Many visitors choose to stay overnight at the park – with six camping sites being available for visitors. Hiking is a popular activity to do at the Park, with specific trails being created to facilitate this. Some incredible, far-reaching views can be seen from certain points in the park. Hiking in the area is certainly recommended!

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As you can see, there is a lot to do at the Peneda-Geres National Park! There are many ways of reaching the Park, and of course multiple entry and exit points, given the range of land it encompasses. Direct flights to Porto from a range of cities around the world can be utilised, and the A3 road from Porto to Braga is the recommended route to take. There is plenty of information online regarding the park, and there is a helpful website that can provide you with everything you need to know regarding the park – click here for more.

Tourism is obviously of key importance to the local area, and economy. It is a famous area in Portugal that is very popular to visit – and is one of the most picturesque locations in the country. Yet efforts have also been made to help control the flow of tourism – with the long-term sustainability of the park being of paramount importance. Overall, this is a stunning area to see – and is well worth visiting! For more information, check out our travel guide on Portugal here. Happy travelling!

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